Still hoping for an Indian summer?

MET OFFICE WARNS OF WINDY AND WET SEPTEMBER

UNLESS you are off on a belated holiday to sunnier climes, it looks as if you can pack away your shorts and summer dresses until next year.

Hopes of an Indian summer as we go into September have been dashed by a long-range forecast issued by the Met Office, which is predicting a largely grey and wet month ahead as we move towards autumn.

Summer officially ends in three weeks, on September 22, but weather experts are predicting that heavy winds and rain will lash most of the country during an “unsettled” month.

There may be one last hurrah, of sorts, over the next couple of days in Derbyshire, with some sunshine breaking through the clouds and temperatures up to 19C.

But that is likely to be the last glimpse of summer weather for the year, with a miserable month ahead.

The Met Office has put this down to an area of low pressure set to move in from Sunday, combined with the effects of “increased tropical storm activity” in the US.

Alex Burkill, a Met Office forecaster, said: “It’s fair to say the beginning of the month will be rather settled, with high pressure dominating.

“There will be drizzle and cloud in the east this week, but in the west certain regions will certainly hit the low 20s and see glimpses of sunshine here and there. However, this could perhaps be the last of the summery weather until the end of September, with a prolonged spell of unsettled conditions and low pressure from Sunday.”

Mr Burkill warned that September is likely to see “more rain and wind” than in August, which was already wetter than average in some parts of country, notably so in the south east and London.

He went on to say: “The low-pressure, along with the increased tropical storm activity across the Atlantic will certainly give the month a more autumnal- feel than previous years. The temperature is likely to remain around the average for the year, perhaps dipping a bit cooler until the end of the month – when it may well get drier again.”

In its long range forecast, the Met

Office said for September 4 to 13: “High pressure still in charge initially. Most areas will see a continuation of dry weather, except for light rain or drizzle over windward coasts and hills, especially in eastern areas, with variable cloud and some spells of sunshine. Temperatures are likely to be near average for most, but rather cool in eastern regions.

“Over the weekend, as the high pressure begins to break down, outbreaks of rain may start to spread to some southern and western areas, with mostly dry weather continuing elsewhere. Into the following week, unsettled weather continues to push eastwards, bringing showers or longer spells of rain across many parts of the UK.

“Northern and eastern areas remaining settled for the longest. Winds remain light to moderate, but stronger in the northwest later, and temperatures around average.”

Temperatures are likely to be “near average” or “a little below” for this time of the year, according to the BBC. BBC long range forecasters have also given a disappointing outlook for the month to come.

Between Monday, September 13 to Sunday, September 26, forecasters predict: “Staying unsettled, wet, and turning cooler later. Low pressure is expected to be the main driving force in the weather throughout the month of September, with only brief deviations at times.

“Later in the month, there are some encouraging signs that high pressure may build in Russia, which would lead to some slow-moving fronts over the UK. This is still a wet pattern, but not nearly as windy.

“With low pressure extending into the British Isles from Iceland, temperatures will likely tend to fall a little below average.”